The ex-Queen mother of Mankessim in the Central Region, Nana Ama Amissah III and four others, including a Fire Service officer, are set to appear before the District Court at Weija, Accra today, January 20, 2025.
They will face charges related to the alleged murder of Samuel Ampofo, the Mankessim Municipal Director of the National Investigations Bureau (NIB) and one Kofi Yamoah, following a chieftaincy dispute over the installation of a new Queen mother.
The incident, which occurred on December 7, 2019 also left three others, including a Police Inspector, with gunshot injuries.
Six Years of Investigations
The Cold Case Unit of the Ghana Police Service conducted a six-year investigation into the case.
Initially, 13 suspects were arrested in connection with the incident. Following a review by the Attorney General’s Office, six individuals, including the former queen mother were charged and slated for prosecution.
The other suspects to appear before the court for the commencement of the committal trial are James Kofi Obosu (alias Nana Obosu Amissah), a farmer and Joseph Kobina Ansah (alias Nana Okutseku), a Fire Service officer.
The others are Robert Gardiner, a driver, John Eric Kofi Turkson (alias Nana Edu) and Clement Kwesi Owusu, an electrical contractor and teacher.
Nana Ama Amissah III is alleged to have masterminded the shooting after presiding over a meeting, where the plot was reportedly discussed.
Background of the Incident
The tragic event unfolded during a procession in Mankessim to celebrate the installation of a new Queen mother, Nana Araba Otua I.
The installation followed a Cape Coast High Court ruling that nullified the gazetting of Nana Ama Amissah III and another claimant, Nana Osagyefo Amanfo Edu VI, after the Aduko Paakesedo Nsona family contested their legitimacy.
At approximately 1:30 p.m. on December 7, 2019 a gunman opened fire near the Edu Nsona Royal Family’s residence, killing Ampofo and Yamoah.
Both victims were pronounced dead at Mankessim Roman Hospital. Ballistic examinations later confirmed that the gunshots were fired from a pump-action or single-barrelled gun.
It is widely reported that members of the Aduko Paakesedo Nsona family had received a tip-off about a planned disruption of the installation.
A witness who sought to verify the information allegedly encountered James Kofi Obosu, armed with a pump-action gun, and accompanied by Clement Owusu and John Eric Kofi Turkson.
When the NIB Director, Ampofo, intervened and asked Obosu to disarm, he was allegedly shot at close range.
The incident reportedly incited an angry mob, which attempted to lynch Obosu before police intervened.
Further investigations revealed that the violence stemmed from a protracted chieftaincy feud between the Edu Nsona and Aduko Paakesedo Nsona royal families.
Allegedly, Nana Ama Amissah III organised meetings during which a plan to disrupt the installation was developed.
The accused reportedly hired armed men, referred to as “Zongo Boys” to execute the plan at a cost of GH?10,000.
On the day of the shooting incident, the accused reportedly met the armed men at the Mankessim Roundabout, provided them with weapons and directed them to the Edu Nsona family house, where the violence ensued.
Arrests and Legal Proceedings
James Kofi Obosu was the first to be apprehended, followed by others implicated in the case. Nana Ama Amissah III was arrested at the CID Headquarters in Accra, after responding to an invitation to assist with investigations.
The accused will face committal proceedings to determine whether the case will proceed to a higher court for trial.
This marks a significant step in resolving a case that has lingered for over half a decade.
The post Ex Mankesim Queen mother, others face trial today appeared first on The Ghanaian Chronicle.
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